East Idaho Times

U.S. Senator Mike Crapo from Idaho has announced that the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act has been signed into law by President Joe Biden. This legislation aims to facilitate cleanup efforts by "Good Samaritans," including state agencies, nonprofits, and other groups, at abandoned hardrock mines to improve water quality.

Senator Crapo emphasized the importance of supporting these efforts: “Good Samaritans are upholding a duty to the natural environment as stewards of the land, and we must continue our work to ensure they have the support they need to work unencumbered by burdensome regulations and undue liability risks.”

The United States is home to hundreds of thousands of abandoned hardrock mine features, with at least 33,000 identified as environmental hazards by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Organizations without legal or financial ties to these sites wish to volunteer for remediation but face potential legal liabilities for pre-existing pollution.

The new act introduces a pilot permitting program that allows not-for-profit organizations to engage in cleanup activities while ensuring compliance with federal oversight. The program targets lower-risk projects aimed at improving water and soil quality or protecting human health.